Local outlet NDTV reported that the operation is estimated to be worth ₹150 crore (~$18 million), spanning multiple states, cities, platforms, and financial networks.

A Vast Operation Spanning Multiple States in India

The gambling syndicate operated more than 30 illicit betting platforms. The local authorities arrested three suspects — Nitin Paliwal, Mahesh Sharma, and Piyush Sharma — who are believed to be developers and managers of the platforms.

The platforms were created to resemble the popular Mahadev Satta app, offering wagers on cricket matches, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), as well as online casino games and regional betting formats, such as matka.

The network established by the criminal syndicate spread across the country through the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and several others.

Police Raid Brings Results

The authorities became aware of the syndicate thanks to a tip-off, and after investigating the matter, they managed to trace the financial trail to properties in multiple cities. This highlighted the deep-rooted financial infrastructure that the illegal online betting ring managed to develop before the police became aware of it.

Commenting on the matter, Alwar Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Nain said that the suspects created fake betting apps to lure players in. They then used digital channels and hawala networks to distribute the earnings. 

During the raid, members of the police force seized six Android mobile phones, two laptops, a hard drive, and an SUV containing 15 ATM cards. The police also believe that the operation features more than 60,000 agents and players from across the country.

Software Engineer Replicated Legitimate Platforms

The syndicate primarily relied on the involvement of a software engineer, whose technical expertise enabled the operation, including allowing the online betting ring to replicate legitimate betting platforms and stay under the authorities’ radar.

The software expert created mirrored websites that mimicked the UI of licensed apps, including real-time odds and payment gateways, thus creating an illusion of authenticity. The effect was convincing enough to attract both new bettors and experts with years of experience in the industry.

The three suspects were tracked down in Alwar and Mathura. The police made a breakthrough when Paliwal was intercepted as he was returning from Agra. 

The authorities managed to confiscate his devices and search them for valuable information that allowed them to map out the rest of the network, grasp the full scale of the operation, and identify the ringleaders.

The arrested individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues. The results of the investigation so far suggest that the operation had links to more cities and other betting networks.

Elsewhere in India, police in Udupi have arrested five people in a raid relating to illegal cockfighting. Five roosters were also confiscated, and 1,500 rupees of betting money was seized. Cockfighting was banned in the country in 1960.

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The new resource provides clarity and explains legal definitions. It also highlights the differences between online casino games and digital slot games. Furthermore, the regulator has provided a list of all licensed online casinos operating in Germany.

GGL: Online Casino vs. Virtual Slots: What’s the Difference?

The FAQ page notes that many people interpret the term “online casino” as a virtual representation of games typically found in arcades. 

However, the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) defines online casino games as “virtual replicas of banker games and live broadcasts of a terrestrial banker game with the option to participate via the internet.”

Banker games are typical table casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. In Germany, these games can be offered under special conditions and with a state-specific permit.

GGL emphasizes that “online casino” does not include virtual slot games. Legally, they are distinct entities. According to the website:

• Online casino games include table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. The respective federal states are responsible for licensing and supervision.
• Virtual slot games are digital replicas of slot machines found in arcades and restaurants. GGL oversees virtual slots, issuing the licenses and ensuring compliance.

The FAQ page provides a link to the list of all licensed land-based and online gambling operators. The public can see their physical locations and the dates when licenses were issued.

GGL Warns Against Illegal Platforms Posing as Legal

The regulator also warns of illegal gambling websites posing as legal. GGL warns that many offshore operators use misleading tactics, such as using SEO-driven terms to attract users through Google. 

Illegal platforms also have professionally designed websites to mimic legal offerings. They often advertise free bonuses or free spins and use terms like “exclusive,” “reputable,” or “top game selection.”

The GGL advises consumers to verify whether a platform is legal in Germany before using it. They can do so by checking the safelist on the FAQ page. Additionally, they can refer to another FAQ page specifically designed to identify and address illegal operators.

The Ongoing Threat of Illegal Gambling in Germany

Last year, a GGL report determined that illegal gambling revenue equaled up to 4% of Germany’s total gross gaming revenue in 2023. The regulator estimates that illicit operators generated between €400 million and €600 million ($453 million to $680 million).

Meanwhile, 2023 data from Nielsen Media, which includes Germany’s market research panels, revealed that only about half (50.7%) of German gamblers engaged with licensed providers.

In response, the new German government has pledged to tackle illegal gambling as part of its coalition agreement, signed on April 9.

The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) welcomed the news. While it describes the proposals as vague, DSWV labeled them as an important signal. The association also proposed five measures to combat illegal gambling:

• Strengthening the competitiveness of legal gambling providers to compete with illegal ones.
• Establishing a nationwide specialized public prosecutor’s office.
• Take a “follow the money” approach.
• Making advertising platforms and affiliate networks more accountable.
• Harmonize European regulations.

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After investigation, the ACMA found Megabet Prize, Mega Medusa, TF2Royal, and Casino Intense to be operating in breach of the Australia Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). 

ACMA’s Regulatory Authority and ISP Blocking Powers

Under the country’s Telecommunications Act 1997, the regulator is permitted to ask internet service providers to block access to sites, with the ultimate aim of disrupting illegal online content.

The breaches under the IGA include:

• Providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia (online casinos, slots, in-play online sports betting).
• Providing a regulated interactive gambling service to customers in the country without a valid Australian license.
• Publishing advertisements for services that are in breach of the above. 

Services in breach of the IGA have been the targets of blocking requests since the ACMA began using this enforcement tool in November 2019. 

In a December 2024 update, the ACMA revealed it had blocked “over 1,117” websites. This week’s update suggests just under 100 additional sites have been blocked in the four months since. 

It also adds that approximately 220 illegal services have been withdrawn from the Australian market since the ACMA was granted the power to enforce illegal online gambling rules in 2017. 

“Even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important consumer protections,” warns the ACMA. “This means Australians who use illegal gambling services risk losing their money.” 

Red Flags for the ACMA: Missing Gambling Licenses, Skin Betting, and Minimal Consumer Protections

CasinoBeats found the following:

• Megabet Prize has closed, and the website is no longer in existence.
• Casino Intense is an online casino licensed in Curacao. No geoblockers are in place. 
• Mega Medusa is also licensed in Curacao, but geoblocks jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. 
• TF2Royal has no license and operates solely using skins. 

Team Fortress 2 is a game developed by Valve. The website allows users to deposit skins to wager on games such as CoinFlip and Roulette. 

The online casino’s Terms of Service span four paragraphs, and the “Item refunds” section strongly vindicates the ACMA’s suggestion that these sites are “unlikely to have important consumer protections.” 

The section reads, verbatim: “We do not refund any items that enters any game, if your items did not enter the game, contact our support. If you experienced any bug, you have 12 hours to contact our support, otherwise we cannot guarantee that bot will have your items.”

It continues: “If you are winner of any game, we highly recommend to accept your withdraw items immadiately or max in few minutes. If you will store your winnings/items in a bot, we cannot guarantee it will be there after some hours.” 

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However, a joint CEO letter within the report also raised concerns about the growth of the illegal online gambling market in Europe, with the CEOs mentioning that it “underscores the urgent need for national policymakers to take decisive action to protect their players”.

EGBA’s Sustainability Report 2024, the association’s fourth annual sustainability report, noted that over half of the 21 million customers used safer gambling tools voluntarily, which is a 14 per cent increase year-over-year.

The report – which “outlines the joint efforts and progress made by its members to promote a sustainable approach to gambling and contribute positively to society in Europe” – highlighted a record 67.6 million safer play messages sent by operators to customers, up 49 per cent YoY, of which 23 million were personalised based on customer behaviour.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, commented: “We’re pleased to publish our latest sustainability report, highlighting significant progress by our members in many areas of safer gambling, particularly in the roll-out of safety tools and their direct interactions with players about their playing behaviour. 

“This demonstrates their collective efforts to embed a sustainable approach to gambling at the heart of what they do.”

Key sustainability report data

The EGBA’s annual sustainability report aims to “track yearly progress, support transparency, and reinforce a strong culture of social responsibility”.

The 2024 report includes sustainability highlights, customer data points collected, safer gambling tools and promotion, social contributions, employment and diversity, as well as energy and environment.

Alongside the previously mentioned figures, the EGBA noted that key data from the report includes that deposit limits were the most used tool by customers of EGBA members, with 70 per cent of customers using the tool voluntarily.

As for safer gambling promotion, the report stated that 70 per cent of all personalised messages were delivered by on-screen pop-ups, while 25 per cent were delivered via email.

In addition, 80 per cent of all member employees – over 45,000 employees across online and land-based operations – received dedicated safer gambling training.

The report also spotlighted how safety messages have improved in their effectiveness, as it noted that of customers who showed potentially problematic play, 65 per cent either improved or stabilised their play following safety messages. 

Of the 65 per cent, the EGBA said that 45 per cent improved their play, 10 per cent refrained from playing and 10 per cent stabilised their play. 32 per cent also voluntarily activated or strengthened safety tools, including self-exclusion, in response to safety messages.

Regarding customer accounts, the association stated that the total number of accounts rose by four per cent YoY to 32.5 million, with 72 per cent of customers being male (2022: 74 per cent) while 28 per cent were female (2022: 26 per cent). Collectively, 59 per cent of customers were either aged 26-35 or 36-50.

EGBA members also allocated €61.2m to problem gambling research, education, and treatment services, while €151.4m was donated to charities and community initiatives across Europe.

The report noted that across land-based and online operations, its members had 58,633 employees – 57 per cent male and 43 per cent female.

Meanwhile, total energy consumption across operations was 253.4 GWh, with 71.8 per cent sourced from renewable energy. Greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 0.93 million tonnes CO2e.

Illegal online gambling market concerns

The report also featured a joint letter from six gambling industry CEOs: John Coates, Joint Group Chief Executive of bet365; Stella David, interim CEO of Entain; Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment; Jesper Svensson, CEO of Betsson Operations; Per Widerström, CEO of evoke; and Nils Andén, CEO of Kindred.

The letter highlighted how “both human expertise and advanced technologies” have been used to “proactively protect and support” players around the clock, but it also raised concerns about the growth of the illegal online gambling market in Europe and how they lack “even the most basic consumer protections”.

The letter also mentioned the regulatory frameworks in several European countries and stated that this has “exacerbated the problem”, adding that the worsening situation “underscores the urgent need for national policymakers to take decisive action to protect their players”.

“While we strongly support enforcement measures against black market websites, competitive, regulated online gambling markets are the only effective solution,” the letter said.

“We call on national policymakers to design regulatory frameworks that balance robust consumer protections with a competitive and innovative online gambling environment that is attractive to players. Regulations should not inadvertently make unsafe alternatives more appealing, especially to vulnerable players.  

“Taking a balanced approach is essential. By doing so, policymakers can mitigate the consumer protection risks associated with the black market and uphold the integrity and sustainability of their regulatory frameworks.”

Haijer added: “In the report, our CEOs also quite rightly flag their concerns about the growing black market in Europe and the risks it poses to players and the progress made in safer gambling. We’re pleased to expand our reporting this year with specific new metrics about the use of safety tools and messages to promote safer play.”

To read the full EGBA Sustainability Report 2024, click here.

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The gambling regulator held discussions with the Swedish gambling industry’s national organisation, SPER, and with the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel.

Although it has tools it can utilise to combat illegal gambling, Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg stated there are “further opportunities for efficiency” and that the industry’s input on such a matter is always welcomed to help “ensure a healthy and safe Swedish gaming market with high consumer protection”.

Spelinspektionen hosted the meeting with SPER and BOS to help further strengthen the licensed market against unlicensed gaming, presenting its current regulations, efforts and initiatives to counter the illegal market.

The gambling authority added that these talks led to open discussions and proposals for improvements and streamlining.

“SPER appreciates discussions between the industry and the Swedish Gambling Authority on the important issue of gambling on unlicensed companies,” stated Maria Wennerberg Sedigh, CEO of SPER.

“Cooperation between the relevant authorities and the industry is necessary for the licensing system to function satisfactorily.”

Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, added: “The gambling industry and the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate have a common interest in discouraging unlicensed gambling from Sweden.

“If we are to succeed in this, we cannot each sit in our own chamber, but then we must gather our forces. A day like this definitely contributes to that.”

The Swedish market could change soon with a tax increase planned for next year, but BOS has recently stated that the proposals are “the best Christmas present you can think of – to the unregulated and unlicensed gambling market”.

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The CEO of the UKGC talked about the illegal gambling market during a keynote speech earlier this week at the International Association of Gambling Regulators Conference in Gaborone, Botswana.

Specifically, Rhodes highlighted the work the UKGC has done since the commission began to receive additional funding to tackle and disrupt illegal gambling in its tracks.

Work includes increasing engagement levels with payment providers and financial institutions to stop the money moving, as well as collaborating with internet search and service providers to delist illegal operators from UK search results, geo-blocking their sites, and working with social media firms to take down illegal gambling promotion.

The commission has also been working with software licensees to stop UK access to popular products when their games appear on illegal sites, as well as engage with affiliate licensees when adverts on illegal sites are spotted to remove said adverts and encourage business relationship assessments.

In the last year, the UKGC has improved its enforcement actions by over 500 per cent between 2021-22 and 2022-23, more than doubled the number of successful positive disruption outcomes, intervened with social media to close down hundreds of illegal lotteries, as well as unlicensed gambling promotion by influencers.

Additional activity has included identifying websites with high footfall and stopping access to them in the UK, either through hosting restrictions or self-imposed geo-blocking.

“We will continue to study the impact of our interventions and respond accordingly.”

Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission

Rhodes also provided data on what kind of impact the work the UKGC is doing in relation to illegal gambling, as he noted that access to four of the top 10 illegal domains has been restricted via geo-blocking, as well as a 46 per cent reduction in traffic to the largest illegal sites coming to the UK market.

Access to 17 sites from Google search results has been blocked, and the UKGC has worked with Mastercard on removing payment facilities from illegal sites too. The CEO praised collaboration with partners and fellow regulators around the world for helping to achieve results in combating illegal gambling.

Rhodes commented: “We will continue to study the impact of our interventions and respond accordingly. We also intend to deepen our collaboration with partners in industry, tech and finance to further strengthen what we can do to disrupt this activity.”

The CEO added that the UKGC will be holding a conference In March that will examine how further partner collaboration can further decay, frustrate and drive out illegal online gambling.

He noted: “I have also reached out to our biggest operators to second expertise into the Gambling Commission from the industry itself. The industry sees a lot of what goes on and we know it can be hard to recruit and retain certain expertise in the public sector.

“So, I want to get a flow of expertise between the industry and the regulator to help on what is very much a shared risk. We have made some good progress and when we receive the powers promised to the commission in the government’s white paper we’ll be able to go further.”

However, Rhodes shares the same viewpoint recently made by UKGC Executive Director Tim Miller – that further teamwork between regulators is needed to help navigate the issues of the global gambling industry.

“Working together, sharing experiences, we can achieve better outcomes for everyone.”

Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the UK Gambliing Commission

The CEO said: “Products evolve all the time as do behaviours. What we do is about a mixture of product, person and place. There will always be a far greater level of combined understanding amongst all of us then there is alone.

“We work hard to strengthen our relationships with other regulators abroad, these are relationships that matter. We will always look to share our experiences with you and likewise are keen to learn from yours. 

“We want to further build a culture of sharing best practice between us – we want your good ideas for ourselves. And we also want – where appropriate to do so – to share notes on the many operators who now trade globally.

“Because if an operator is making failings in your jurisdiction, the chances are they might be in my jurisdiction and others as well. And the world is too big for any one of us to act as the World Police. But working together, sharing experiences, we can achieve better outcomes for everyone.”

Rhodes concluded: “Each and every one of us is in our own way, for our own jurisdiction, are looking to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free. So working together not only makes sense, it makes what we’re trying to do easier too.”

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30

Caesars Entertainment acknowledged the recent detection of “suspicious activity in its information technology network”, as MGM Resorts continued to probe the effects of its own “cybersecurity issue” that was identified earlier in the week.

This came amid reports that the former paid approximately half of a $30m ransom demand, with Reuters reporting that the Scattered Spider hacking group has confirmed that it obtained six terabytes of data from the pair.

In an SEC 8K filing, Caesars updated that it was affected by a social engineering attack on an outsourced IT support vendor, however, it noted that customer-facing operations, including physical properties and online and mobile gaming applications, were not impacted.

“We have taken steps to ensure that the stolen data is deleted by the unauthorised actor, although we cannot guarantee this result. We are monitoring the web and have not seen any evidence that the data has been further shared, published, or otherwise misused,” the company said.

6

The Australian government introduced legislation to implement an online gambling credit card ban, in addition to heightening fines for companies that fail to implement the updated rulings.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023, to be introduced to parliament onWednesday 13 September, looks to outlaw credit cards and credit related products, as well as digital currencies, used for online wagering.

The proposal would see expanded powers be gained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to ensure “strong and effective enforcement”. Penalties of up to $234,750 for any breach of the new provisions could also be sanctioned

A six month transition period would be provided to the industry and consumer, which would commence from the date of Royal Assent. The use of credit cards in land-based venues is already prohibited in the country.

18.6

The Swedish gambling authority will once again receive an increase in funding, this time across the next three years, to strengthen work in combating illegal gambling and match fixing activities. 

After gaining an additional SEK 2.4m (€200,000) for the current year, the country’s government has proposed a SEK 10.8m (£777,385) increase in the authority’s budget for 2024.

In addition to this, it is also estimated that the Spelinspektionen will also receive an extra SEK 15.6m (£1.12m) through 2025, and SEK 18.6m (£1.33m) to combat these activities during 2026.

22.9

A fresh report highlighted the need for additional gambling regulations with a view to further protecting children and vulnerable members of society, suggested Ireland’s Institute of Public Health. 

It was also said that ‘children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland’ underscored the need for further data on children and gambling to be collected, in addition to monitoring via national health surveys to be undertaken.

It was found that 22.9 per cent of respondents reported gambling for money in the 12 months prior, with this rate higher among boys (28.2 per cent) compared to girls (17.9 per cent).

Sports betting was found to be the most common activity with 60.7 per cent of respondents indicating participation, this is followed by lotteries (51.8 per cent), cards or dice (41.3 per cent) and slots (36.9 per cent).

33

PAGCOR cautioned the public not to be misled by an increasing number of websites using the regulator’s logo in a bid to deceive players into thinking that their activities are connected with licensed offshore gaming in the Philippines.

This followd the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation pursuing legal action against 33 offshore gaming licensees due to unpaid fees, with it noted that those in question have unpaid licence fees that amount to P2.02bn (£27.86m).

It was warned that “fake online gaming sites” are using an old PAGCOR logo, with the public advised to exercise caution due to the threat that could be posed to both personal and financial information.

Steps currently being taken include handing over the results of investigation and monitoring of dubious websites to the Philippine National Police, as well as the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the National Bureau of Investigation, for legal action.

10

Licensees of the Dutch gaming market were warned that they must intervene with additional urgency and efficiency when players exhibit behavioural traits that could indicate excessive gaming or a potential addiction. 

Following what was billed as an “extensive investigation” into the fulfilment of the duty of care at 10 providers, the country’s gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit, has also informed that it is working towards tightening its own policy based on conclusions and findings.  

This will see responsible gambling protocols be amended to include mandatory real-time monitoring and blocking of accounts that display concerning signs until an intervention has taken place.

In addition, supplementing rules on indicators that should be included in the assessment of gaming behaviour will also be included.

83

Tabcorp was refunded a total of A$83m by the Australian Taxation Office after the operator disclosed that a resolution had been reached regarding an ongoing dispute.

This related to the income tax treatment of payments for various licences and authorities, which Tabcorp had confidently declared had been paid to the Commissioner in full. Each proceeding brought by the taxpayers will be dismissed.

As part of the settlement, the ATO will return the aforementioned sum, which is said to represent 20 per cent of the disputed tax liabilities and interest.

However, the company will pay approximately $37m to The Lottery Corporation under the terms of a separation deed dated March 25, 2022.

80,000

Toronto’s Woodbine Casino was served with a C$80,000 financial penalty by the Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario following allegations of a cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme.

Earlier in the year, the Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, embedded within the AGCO, brought charges against five individuals over claims that an electronic craps dealer was in collusion with these patrons.

Subsequently, a compliance review was conducted by the AGCO’s regulatory arm regarding adherence to the Gaming Control Act 1992, which found that the gaming venue had failed to detect or take appropriate action regarding the scheme

2

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel disclosed that she had shut down the illegal operations of Massachusetts based Golden Hearts Games from within the state.

Through her office’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, and working alongside the Michigan Gaming Control Board, this brought an end to a more than two-year pursuit.

Golden Hearts Games, a charity-focused social or sweepstakes casino, was said to have been offering online games to Michigan consumers without the required licence.

The move brought praise from the American Gaming Association, which noted “kudos to the Michigan Department of Attorney General and MGCB on teaming up to combat illegal gambling in their communities.”

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After gaining an additional SEK 2.4m (€200,000) for the current year, the country’s government has proposed a SEK 10.8m (£777,385) increase in the authority’s budget for 2024.

In addition to this, it is also estimated that the Spelinspektionen will also receive an extra SEK 15.6m (£1.12m) through 2025, and SEK 18.6m (£1.33m) to combat these activities during 2026.

“Countering the illegal game and match-fixing is of the highest priority for a safe and secure gaming market for the consumer,” commented Camilla Rosenberg, SAGA Director General.

“With even greater collaboration with the Financial Supervisory Authority, we can become sharper in supervision. I see the proposal for increased resources as very positive.”

This move comes as the Swedish government looks to ensure that the gambling market is not abused for criminal enterprises, with its noted that illegal gambling and match-fixing are key sources of income for criminal networks.

“Fixed sports competitions and other forms of match-fixing are against the fundamental values ​​of sport and are a serious threat to the future of sport,” said Sports Minister Jakob Forssmed.

“Reinforcement of the Spelinspektionen’s work contributes to protecting Swedish sports from being undermined by organised crime.”

However, in addition to the increased funding, the SGA must also forge a closer cooperation with the Financial Supervisory Authority in order for these aforementioned goals to be achieved “as effectively as possible.”

This will see an additional SEK 4.5m made available to block payment mediation to and from illegal gambling operations.

“There must be strong consumer protection in the gambling market. With this investment, Spelinspektionen can sharpen supervision,” noted Financial Markets Minister Niklas Wykman.

“In addition, the cooperation with the Financial Supervisory Authority can open up new opportunities to block payment mediation to and from illegal actors, something that can play an important role in the work to combat criminal activity.”

Earlier in the month, licensed gambling companies in Sweden recorded a slight drop in revenue year-on-year through 2023’s second quarter, with the figure of SEK 6.7bn down a little over one percentage point from SEK 6.77bn.

However, this does represent a slight nudge of 1.77 per cent from the SEK 6.58bn witnessed through Q1. For the year-to-date, overall revenue was down less than half a percentage point after closing at SEK 13.28m (2022 SEK 13.33bn).

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A recent report from the UN looked to raise awareness of torture and enslavement derived from online scam operations such as illegal gambling – as well as crytpo-scams, romance-investment scams and money laundering. 

According to the report, hundreds of thousands of individuals in SE Asia are being subjected to human trafficking, exploitation and forced labour, as a result of working for aforementioned operations. 

While the UN noted that it has been aware of these conditions for years, the organisation has reiterated the extent of the human rights violations with this report as it probed the region’s governments to take action. 

Published on August 29, the report cited “credible sources” that estimate at-risk individuals in Myanmar at 120,000 and Cambodia up to 100,000, while highlighting the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for the exploitation of labour. 

COVID-19 fallout

The report stated that the pandemic had a “drastic impact” on illicit activities across SE Asia due to the closure of casinos encouraging operators to either move to less regulated areas or take their services online. 

As the main target for illicit operations, migrant workers became increasingly vulnerable to online scam operations and their employers as borders and business closed. Being forced to stay at home also opened workers up to the idea of working for the illicit operations online. 

The report explained: “As countries in the region opened up from the pandemic response measures in the course of 2021-22, traffickers continued to exploit the economic distress that had resulted from the pandemic and the needs of many to find alternative livelihoods.”

UN takes action

In response to the rapid rise in online scam operations and the individuals directly affected, the UN has encouraged local governments to update their legislation and actively prevent corruption. 

Although some governments have already begun to crackdown on the scam operations, the report indicated that the rise of scam operations can be linked to “weak governance”. 

The report stated: “Many of the centres in which people are forced into online criminal activity are physically located in jurisdictions where governance and the rule of law are weak, and authority is contested.”

In calling for the region to respond to these difficulties, the UN probed governments to “strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights and improve governance”, while suggesting that “the rule of law must be as much a part of the response to these scams as a robust criminal justice response.”

The report concluded: “Such a holistic approach provides the only solution to breaking the cycle of impunity and ensuring protection and justice for the people who have been trafficked and abused within this complex phenomenon.”

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In a letter released on social media by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the DOJ asserted that it will “continue to use all available tools” to detect, investigate and prosecute illegal activities.

During May, regulators across Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey and Nevada collaborated to urge the DoJ to prioritise combating illegal offshore operators.

The communication cited the threat illegal operators pose to the industry, including a lack of responsible gaming programme investment, no age verification requirements to protect minors, zero anti-money laundering measures, no fair payout guarantees for customers and a loss of state tax revenue funds for important initiatives.

The letter added that offshore operators don’t undergo or comply with licensing requirements like legal operators since they don’t answer to an authority, nor are they subject to state regulation scrutiny to make sure they’re compliant.

“Offshore operators flaunt state regulations and offer products that do not protect the public, which greatly concerns me and my fellow state regulators,” wrote Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams. 

“The Department appreciates the adverse impact illegal gaming has on individuals and communities”

In response, the DoJ letter read: “We appreciated your views on the matter. The Department has undertaken, and continues to pursue, investigations into illegal gaming. 

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the investigative arm of the Department tasked with betting allegations of violations of federal gaming laws. 

“When the violations have been substantiated, the FBI will forward the allegations to the appropraite federal prosecuting authority to pursue charges, like a US Attorney’s Office in the jurisdiction where the crimes have occurred, 

“The Department takes seriously the issue of illegal gambling, including illegal online gambling, and continues to successfully investigate and prosecute illegal internet gambling. 

“The FBI works hard to establish and maintain strong partnerships with both public and private entities to combat illegal gaming. 

“The Department appreciates the adverse impact illegal gaming has on individuals and communities and will continue to use all available tools to detect, investigate and prosecute such illegal activity.”

During the latter stage of 2022, the American Gaming Association said that it is “in for the long haul” to protect consumers after a new report following its own calls for the DOJ to get a handle on illegal, online sportsbooks and casinos, as well as unregulated ‘skill game’ machines. 

Urging the sector to “work together” in the ongoing fight, CEO Bill Miller’s call to action came after the AGA’s report uncovered that Americans were betting approximately $511bn a year with illegal igaming websites, unregulated machines and sportsbooks.

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